Core Insights - The FTSE 100 has shown strong performance in 2026, rising 7.69% year-to-date and 22.75% over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500, which is down 0.24% year-to-date but up 12.16% over the past year [1][10] Market Trends - Rising geopolitical tensions and U.S. market volatility related to AI concerns have led investors to reassess their U.S. exposure and shift away from American securities [2][3] - The "AI scare" has heightened investor anxiety, particularly affecting the S&P 500 due to its heavy concentration in the information technology sector, prompting a rotation away from U.S. equities [3] Sector Performance - The FTSE 100 benefits from a heavier weighting in banks and mining stocks, with limited exposure to big tech and AI-driven companies, contributing to its outperformance compared to the S&P 500 [4] - U.K. large caps are trading at approximately a 40% valuation discount relative to U.S. equities, with U.K. banks showing compelling valuations compared to U.S. peers [5] Economic Indicators - The S&P Global U.K. Composite PMI rose to 53.9 in February, indicating continued economic momentum, marking the strongest level since April 2024 [6] - U.K. retail sales saw a 4.5% year-over-year increase in January, the strongest annual gain in almost four years [7] - The U.K. recorded a £30.4 billion ($40.9 billion) budget surplus in January 2026, a significant improvement from the previous year [8] Inflation and Monetary Policy - U.K. inflation eased to 3.0% in January, the lowest since March 2025, raising expectations for a potential interest rate cut by the Bank of England [9][10] - Following the inflation data, market expectations for a March rate cut by the Bank of England increased to nearly 90% [10][11] Investment Opportunities - Investors can consider U.K. ETFs such as iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) and Franklin FTSE United Kingdom ETF (FLGB) for increased exposure to the U.K. market [12] - Other diversified ETFs with significant U.K. exposure include iShares MSCI Europe Small-Cap ETF (IEUS) and iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF (IEUR) [13]

The major stock indexes ticked lower in premarket trading on Friday amid the release of slew of economic reports that will factor into the Federal Reserve's interest rate call next month. Futures contracts connected to the Dow Jones Industrial Average were down 0.2% in recent trading, as were S&P 500 futures. Nasdaq 100 futures slipped 0.3%. Stocks declined yesterday as oil prices climbed to a six-month high amid a major U.S. military build-up in the Middle East aimed at forcing a nuclear deal with Iran. ...

The University of Michigan US Feb consumer sentiment index was revised lower by -0.7 to 56.6, weaker than expectations of no change at 57.3.US Dec new home sales fell -1.7% to 745,000, better than expectations of 730,000.The US Feb S&P manufacturing PMI fell -1.2 to 51.2, weaker than expectations of no change at 52.4.The US Dec core PCE price index (the Fed's preferred inflation gauge) rose +0.4% m/m and +3.0% y/y, stronger than expectations of +0.3% m/m and +2.9% y/y.US Dec personal spending rose +0.4% m/m ...

Dow Jones, S&P 500, Nasdaq gains after Supreme Court tariff ruling: Stocks edged higher Friday after the Supreme Court ruled against US president Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, giving a lift to retailers and other companies that had struggled with rising import and manufacturing costs tied to the duties.Dow Jones Climbs After Supreme Court Tariff Ruling - DJIA Today Recovers From Early Losses After Economic Data MissThe Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 93.81 points, or 0.2%, recovering from an earlier 20 ...

Nasdaq leads Wall Street higher as Supreme Court rules Trump's tariffs are unlawful Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock 4:11pm: Tariff relief US stocks finished Friday’s session higher as investors welcomed the news that the Supreme Court ruled Trump’s tariffs on its trade partners are unlawful. The Nasdaq led the gains, up 0.9% at 22,886 points. The S&P 500 was up 0.7% at 6,909 points and the Dow Jones added 0.5% at 49,625 points. 2:30pm: Trump threatens more tariffs President Trump respo ...

The co-founder of Fermat Capital Management says the market for catastrophe bonds is drawing in new issuers at a rate that’s unlike anything he’s seen before.John Seo, managing director and co-founder of Connecticut-based Fermat — a hedge fund manager specialized in cat bonds — says he’s aware of 16 new issuers coming to market in 2025. That’s as much as eight times the historical average for first-time issuers, Seo said. He expects cat bond sales of about $24 billion this year, testing last year’s record. ...

But now here to help us set up the trading day, I'd like to welcome in Kevin Hanks for our pre-bell playbook. And so Kevin, we've gotten some important economic data this morning. I mean GDP rose just 1.4% pretty wide miss.Well, we also saw at the same time inflation actually holding pretty firm. So I mean right now how do you make of what do you make of this conflicting data and what does this mean for overall just the Fed. >> Good morning Jen.You know I think two things. We got two very big numbers today. ...

Editor’s note: This story was updated to add details, context.U.S. gross domestic product grew at an annualized rate of 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to advance estimates released Friday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.The figure marks a sharp slowdown from the prior quarter's 4.4% expansion pace and came in sharply below economists' expectations for 3% growth.In a separate release, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index inched up from 2.8% year-over-year in November to 2 ...

Key inflation metrics tracked by the Federal Reserve accelerated at the end of last year, underscoring why many Fed officials have turned cautious about supporting further interest-rate cuts. ...

NYSE Content Update: Starfighters Space Celebrates NYSE American Listing [Accessibility Statement] Skip NavigationNYSE issues a pre-market daily advisory direct from the trading floor.NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) provides a daily pre-market update directly from the NYSE Trading Floor. Access today's NYSE Pre-market update for market insights before trading begins.Ashley Mastronardi delivers the pre-market update on February 20thContinue ReadingHerbalife CFO join ...